Nicole's BookMark

Summary In this episode of Bookmarked, Nicole, and Oakleigh share their hot takes on reading and answer common questions about books. They discuss topics such as whether audiobooks can be considered reading, the ethics of pirating books, the influence of book reviews on reading decisions, the use of real-life events and people in fictional stories, parental censorship of children's reading sources, the need for trigger warnings in YA books, the adaptation of books into movies and shows, reading multiple books at the same time, listening to music while reading, and the acceptability of reading smut. They also share their opinions on various book-related topics, including the necessity of happy endings, the impact of listing tropes as spoilers, the importance of book covers, the debate over breaking book spines, the pricing of e-books, the standard size for softcover books, the dislike of fake or permanent stickers on books, the lack of third-act breakups in fluffy romance books, and the use of pop culture references in books.

Summary In this episode, Nicole shares her March wrap-up and reviews the books she read during the month. She discusses her disappointment with House of Sky and Breath and House of Flame and Shadow in the Crescent City series by Sarah J. Maas. Nicole compares the characters and plot of Crescent City to Maas' other books and expresses her attachment to certain characters. She also reviews other books she read, including Binding 13, Fourth Wing, and A Groom of One's Own. Nicole concludes the episode by wishing her listeners a good April. Takeaways House of Sky and Breath was a disappointing read for Nicole, particularly due to the lack of her favorite characters and the feeling of it being a cash grab. Nicole compares the characters and plot of Crescent City to Sarah J. Maas' other books and expresses her attachment to certain characters. Nicole enjoyed reading Binding 13 and Fourth Wing, finding them entertaining and engaging. A Groom of One's Own was a wholesome and enjoyable read for Nicole, with a sweet romance and relatable characters. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and March Wrap-Up 00:50 Review of House of Sky and Breath 04:34 Overview of Crescent City 06:16 Review of Binding 13 09:01 Disappointment with House of Flame and Shadow 10:50 Review of Fourth Wing 14:13 Review of Amazon Prime Novellas 16:11 Review of Iron Flame 19:29 Conclusion

Summary In this episode, Nicole discusses various topics related to reading and books. She starts by talking about how to avoid a book slump and shares her personal strategies, such as looking up spoilers or reading with a buddy. She then talks about how to determine if a book is a five-star read, highlighting the emotional reactions and connections she experiences while reading. Nicole also shares how reading helps her understand and empathize with different perspectives and how it has deepened her faith. Lastly, she recommends some beginner-friendly books in the fantasy and fiction genres. Takeaways To avoid a book slump, try strategies like looking up spoilers or reading with a buddy. A five-star book is one that elicits strong emotional reactions and connections. Reading helps to understand and empathize with different perspectives and can deepen one's faith. Recommended beginner-friendly books in the fantasy genre: Dance of Thieves. Recommended beginner-friendly book in the fiction genre: Inheritance Games.

Summary In this episode, Nicole shares her book wrap-up for the month of February. She discusses her reading experience with Sarah J. Maas' A Court of Thorns and Roses series, including her initial hesitation and eventual enjoyment of the books. Nicole also shares her thoughts on the Crescent City series and her mixed feelings about the second book. Overall, she read six books and loved most of them. She invites listeners to suggest book recommendations for her. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Book Wrap-Up 01:00 A Court of Thorns and Roses 04:00 A Court of Wings and Ruin 05:23 A Court of Frost and Starlight 07:40 A Court of Silver Flames 10:00 Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood 12:18 Conclusion and Book Recommendations

Oakleigh Rose joins Nicole Duffey as they embark on an animated exploration of the Sarah J Maas universe. They delved into character dynamics, dissecting reactions to pivotal moments and speculating on future plot twists. From analyzing the significance of character actions to predicting potential encounters in the Night Court, their conversation was brimming with excitement and anticipation. Their mutual enthusiasm for the series shone brightly. They also candidly discussed the challenge of meeting high expectations from previous books while eagerly awaiting the next installment. Their engaging banter gave listeners an entertaining and insightful glimpse into their shared passion for the series, leaving them eagerly anticipating future episodes.

In this episode of "Nicole's BookMark," Nicole Duffey critiques common elements in young adult (YA) fantasy, focusing on the novel "Shatter Me." She expresses frustration with insecure protagonists, reliance on love triangles, and low-stakes plotlines. Disliking first-person narratives, preferring third-person perspectives for a broader view. Despite her critiques, she acknowledges continued interest in YA but notes evolving tastes.

Nicole Duffey and Oakleigh Rose engage in a conversation discussing their reading experiences and preferences. Sharing their thoughts on fantasy and sci-fi genres. The conversation also delves into romance novels, with differing opinions on the genre. They discuss cover preferences, favorite genres, and their reading habits, providing insights into Nicole Duffey and Oakleigh Rose's literary tastes and experiences.

OakLeigh Rose joins Nicole Duffey as they discuss various books they've read, sharing detailed thoughts on "The Selection" series, "A Court of Thorns and Roses," "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo," "All Your Perfects," "The Summer of Broken Rules," and "Throne of Glass." They delve into character dynamics, plot points, and personal reactions to different elements of the stories. The conversation covers topics ranging from character relationships and emotional moments to preferences in storytelling. Despite differing opinions on certain books, it's evident that both speakers share a genuine enthusiasm for reading and exploring different genres.

Join Nicole, a high school student, as she shares her top book recommendations in this lively episode of "Bookmarked." In this end-of-year special, Nicole reflects on her favorite reads from 2023, covering a range of genres from romance to high fantasy. Discover the intriguing dynamics of her recommended romance novels, the creative world-building in the Wheel of Time series, the nostalgic revisit to Percy Jackson, and the unexpected twists in The King's Dark Tidings series. Tune in for a delightful discussion filled with bookish insights and personal reflections. Happy listening, and may your winter break be filled with great reads!

Nicole Duffey talks about the book Divine Rivals. She talks about her likes, dislikes, and icks about the book.

Brooke Ueckert joins Nicole Duffey in talking about The Ruthless Elimination, faith, and all things about being a teenager.

This week's episode is all about what to get a book lover for Christmas. Cameron Killian, a Texas high school senior, joins Nicole to talk about books with a Christian emphasis, taking trips down memory lane, and reviewing the early booktok books.

Pryce Gray joins Nicole in talking about classic books from middle school, book clubs, and upcoming releases.